Short wheelbase fleetside bed removal..1985 4x4

[BeverlyHillbilly]

Hello, I need to remove the bed .....any pointers?..how many bolts etc...
Thanks a bunch, enjoy the site...

Steve in Wv

[CHawk]

I'm actually pretty curious on this myself.  Going to remove mine if this flippin' snow in Colorado every stops!!!!!!

[jseifert]

Look at this website... http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/exterior/bed_rebuild.htm

It tells how to rebuild one, but it will let you know they best, and the easiest IMO to go about it...

[Captkaos]

There are 8 bolts holding the bed on, they are visible from the inside of the bed.  All must be removed.  You also need to disconnect the rear tailight wiring from the bed (there are connecters at both sides.  The gas filler needs to be removed from the bed also.  I highly suggest removing the bumper also.

If you are doing it manually, you need about 4 strong people to pick it up.  I would remove all the above items PLUS the rear wheels put the rear close enough to the ground that when you pick it up it will walk straight off the back of the truck.

[joesgarage71]

 4 guys to lift it and 4 55 gallon drums to set it on.

Steve

[BeverlyHillbilly]

Thanks fellows..very helpful....I have the bedliner out and see the bolt heads...but I'm afraid I might be into a frame change, will know more when the bed comes off..

Thanks again,
Steve in Southern Wv

[77c15]

check this out for the way i pursued the bed removal. I did this in about 1 hour by myself. Very easy, and mine's a longbed!

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/788720/9

[SUX2BU99]

Great info! I'd like to remove mine too, but only because of a presumably rotted out bushing on the passenger side, causing the bed to droop to that side.  And a I got some small bubbling going on behind the wheel openings and the nasty dent right on the drivers fender corner somebody was kind enough to leave me in a parking lot one day without notice    I got it pounded out okay but more needs to be done and can only get to it so well with the bed on the truck.

[Captkaos]

There are no bushings under the bed.  It bolts directly to the frame.

[SUX2BU99]

Oh.....hm lovely. Well I have an obvious twist. Anything I can do about it? What would be causing the twist? I guess I'll have to use washers as shims on the low side between the bed and frame?

[Captkaos]

You may have to shim the bed to make it line up with the rest of the bodylines.  Your cab bushings are ok aren't they?

[SUX2BU99]

Good question. I should measure from floor to rocker and see if they are even. They were replaced presumably when the body-off resto was done in 99 but I should indeed check that.

[jseifert]

I have the same problem with my bed... I thought that it was the suspension in a bind from when I lowered it with shackle.... I tightened them up with everything hanging... But over the weekend, when I changed the hanger, I loosened all of the bolts to the leaf springs, sat it down with the bed on... And there is still a slight twist... Its drivin my nuts...